Thursday meeting fails to progress Chelsea transfer – Official works on purchase whilst ‘on holiday in Aeolian Islands’

Chelsea have to move on multiple players before the summer transfer window closes and a major candidate to depart is Romelu Lukaku.

A move to Napoli is yet to materialise for the Belgian, who has been keen on reuniting with Antonio Conte once again.

Corriere del Mezzogiorno have reported on the situation today, stating that a key meeting took place on Thursday and it involved Chelsea, Napoli and Lukaku’s entourage.

No progress was made towards a closure of the move. The Partenopei’s offer doesn’t go beyond €30m and there is no room to involve Victor Osimhen in the move either.

Chelsea will not accept a loan move but Napoli would prefer that formula initially, making the move complex. The Blues’ initial request is €38m but the feeling is that they would definitely have to lower that demand.

There is confidence in the completion of the deal and talks will remain ongoing. Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis is currently ‘on holiday in the Aeolian Islands’ and trying to manage things from there.

As of now, Napoli will go into their second game of the season with only one new signing, David Neres, as part of the squad.

Conte will surely be on the verge of eruption right now, especially with De Laurentiis taking things easy.